Probate in Buffalo County

Probate Court Record

Buffalo County Court

Buffalo County · 9

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Office

1512 Central Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

How to file probate in Buffalo County →

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Buffalo County? →Settling an estate in Buffalo County →

Probate Firms Serving Buffalo County

Gering firm founded in 1946, directly across the street from the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse, with a second office in Kimball near the Kimball County Courthouse. Handles probate, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, guardianships, and conservatorships, with Matthew Turman carrying the estate planning work. Offers a free consultation on estate matters.

Since 1946Serves 15 countiesFree consultationEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipReal Estate

Grand Island firm in Hall County, with a second office in Lincoln, founded by Gregg Neuhaus, who has served central Nebraska for more than 40 years. Offers probate representation and probate litigation for personal representatives and beneficiaries, including disputes over a will, and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Probate and estate planning matters start with a free consultation.

Serves 9 countiesFree consultationEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBankruptcyFamily Law+2

Hastings firm in the historic Strand Theatre, serving every county of the 10th Judicial District plus Hall, Buffalo, and Hamilton Counties. Handles probate, small estates, trust administration, inheritance tax clearance, federal estate tax filings, elective shares, and estate disputes, plus guardianships and conservatorships. Founded in January 2013.

Since 2013Serves 12 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax Planning+4

Omaha firm founded in 1898, with a second office in Hastings, representing personal representatives in probate court. Handles probate and trust administration, from inventory and appraisal through death tax returns and distribution, and trust and estate litigation for executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries. Eleven attorneys are listed on its estate planning and probate practice.

Since 1898Serves 2 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+4

Omaha firm in Douglas County with offices in Hastings and Grand Island. Guides trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries through trust administration and probate, from filing the will and creditor claims to Nebraska inheritance tax, fiduciary income tax, and distribution. Handles administrations involving businesses, farms and ranches, real estate, and multiple trusts.

Serves 3 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

All 13 Nebraska probate firms serving Buffalo County →

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nebraska

Free Nebraska forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Nebraska.

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Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Last Will and Testament

In Nebraska, a will is signed before 2Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.

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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nebraska

Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Nebraska: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Nebraska.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Nebraska costs an estimated $25,018Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Nebraska: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2467, 30-2468, 30-2469Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Nebraska pays executors reasonable compensationNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Nebraska, estates with personal property of $100,000Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Nebraska, creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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Can I Self-File Probate?

Nebraska has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2414Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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